Mark P. Walker

HOLDEN - On Wednesday, March 18, rest came to Mark Paul Walker, 44, son of Edward and Joanne Walker of Holden. Mark has finally been relieved from a 25-year contentious odyssey with health problems that began with the onset of diabetes at age 19. It was followed over the years by accidental destruction of a leg bone, an 18-month ordeal of blindness, dialysis, kidney transplant, and loss of his lower leg to a flesh-destroying infection. In his rest he will lie beside his mother, who died just a year ago from some of the same complications of diabetes.

Together with his sister, Lysa Ringgard of Rutland, Mark graduated from St. Peter Marian High School in Worcester, and he attended Franklin Pierce College in N.H. He worked at the Joslin Diabetes Camp in Oxford and frequently helped his parents teach CPR. He found success and fulfillment in house management of residential facilities for the handicapped and impaired. He left following his leg accident, and then earned a cum laude degree, with special distinguished honors, from Worcester State College. Unable to work full-time, he was a volunteer teacher at North High School in Worcester where he inspired students.

Mark was passionate about friends, music and helping people in distress. His reputation labeled him "generous to a fault," uncomplaining and never expecting anything in return for his help. He loved being with his sister and her children, Alec and Ryanne. His personal delight was to be outside planting trees.